Hospitals will not be given a green light on cutting wards until they can prove a better and safe alternative for their patients

Speaking at a health summit tomorrow, he is expected to say: “Before major service changes are given the green light, they’ll now need to prove there are still going to be sufficient hospital beds to provide safe, modern and efficient care locally.”

Unison Head of Health Christina McAnea says that patients will be reassured to know that beds will be available should they need them

“But on the other hand, more older patients inevitably means more emergency admissions, and the pressures on A&E are being compounded by the sharp rise in patients stuck in beds awaiting home care and care home places.

“So there can no longer be an automatic assumption that it’s OK to slash many thousands of extra hospital beds - unless and until there really are better alternatives in place for patients.”

The announcement builds on four existing tests put in place in 2010, which include support from local GPs and patients.

UNISON Head of Health Christina McAnea said: “This announcement will reassure patients that hospital beds will be available when they need them.”

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And Clare Marx, President of the Royal College of Surgeons, said: “Bed cuts have now gone too far, overtaking decreases in length of stay.

“A shortage of beds on hospital wards this winter left patients waiting too long for both emergency and planned care.”

Last month a leading health think-tank said some hospitals must be shut to save the NHS.

Forty-four local health boards have been ordered to identify services that can be shut or merged.